Sugarbook is an online dating service that was founded in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[1] Sugarbook is most popular in the Southeast Asian countries of Malaysia, Singapore and Philippines.[2]
Type of site | Online dating service Social network service |
|---|---|
| Owner | Darren Chan |
| URL | sugarbook |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Registration | Yes |
| Launched | 2016 |
| Current status | Active |
The site is controversial in Malaysia, the country where it was founded.[3] On February 23, 2021, Sugarbook founder and CEO, Darren Chan was arrested by Malaysian police[4] and put in lockup for 10 days, as authorities in the Muslim-majority country believed that Chan had violated anti-prostitution laws.[5]
History
editSugarbook was founded by Darren Chan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2016. The site focuses on connecting "sugar daddies" with "sugar babies."[6] The "sugar babies" can register for free, while the "sugar daddies" pay membership fees to find matches.[7]
Controversy
editFormula One sponsorship
editIn 2018, Sugarbook had sponsored a party as part of the Singapore Tourism Board's Formula One-themed Sky Grande Prix event, but it was cancelled due to the controversial nature of the company's platform.[8][9]
Arrest of founder and ban in Malaysia
editOn February 23, 2021, Sugarbook Founder and CEO, Darren Chan was arrested and put in lockup for 10 days.[10][11][12][13] The arrest was internationally condemned, prompting attorneys and netizens to questions its legality. Chan later pleaded not guilty to the charges.[14]
Sugarbook was also blocked by Malaysian ISPs, but users in Malaysia found ways to bypass the blocks, such as using VPNs. There was a public outcry across the Asia-Pacific region, with the media publishing articles about the controversy in Thailand, Singapore, and Hong Kong.[15]
A day after the ban the company circumvented the block by using the URL sucrebook.com.[16][17]
On April 4, 2021, Darren Chan spoke out about the case to VICE News.[18] Chan's arrest also prompted coverage from the BBC, New York Post,[19] Astro AEC, among others.
Google Play Store ban
editAs of September 1, 2021, Google has banned Sugarbook and a number of other sugar baby apps from its Google Play store.[20][21]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Inside the downfall of Malaysia's biggest sugar daddy platform". Rest of World. 2021-05-24. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
- ^ Quismundo, Tarra (2020-10-30). "Dangerous or empowering? Signups on sugar daddy dating site rise among young women in PH amid pandemic". ABS-CBN News.
- ^ Taery, Divya (2021-02-15). "Malaysia wants to ban SugarBook app as the number of 'sugar babies' rise". Mashable SEA. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
- ^ "Malaysian police arrest founder of Sugarbook, a sugar daddy dating platform". The Straits Times. February 18, 2021.
- ^ "Sugarbook dating app maker arrested over 'promoting prostitution'". BBC. February 18, 2021.
- ^ "How to Treat Sugar Babies, According to Sugar Babies". VICE. 2020-02-15.
- ^ "Asia's dating apps reflect a rich mix of cultures". Financial Times. 2018-08-22.
- ^ "'Sugar babies' sponsored party will no longer be part of STB's F1 promotion campaign". The Straits Times. September 7, 2018.
- ^ "How Singapore's F1 fling with sugar daddies turned sour". South China Morning Post. September 22, 2018.
- ^ "'Sugar Dating' App Founder Arrested in Malaysia". VICE. 2021-02-17.
- ^ "Why Malaysia Is Cracking Down On Online Sugar Daddies". YouTube.
- ^ "Founder of sugar dating platform Sugarbook arrested for 'soliciting prostitution'". Mashable SEA. February 18, 2021.
- ^ "Sugarbook members include 'influential people in power', claims founder". The Star.
- ^ "Sugarbook founder pleads not guilty in Malaysia to publishing post on 'sugar babies'". The Straits Times. February 24, 2021.
- ^ "Sugarbook blocked in Malaysia". The Star.
- ^ CoconutsKL (2021-02-16). "Sugarbook skirts ban with new name Sucrebook in URL | Coconuts KL". Coconuts. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
- ^ Tan, Janice (2021-02-17). "Sugarbook reportedly changes URL to avoid ban, gets clamped down again". marketing-interactive.com. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
- ^ Chen, Heather (2021-04-04). "Sugarbook Founder Speaks Out About Malaysia Ban". VICE.
- ^ Brown, Lee (February 18, 2021). "'Sugar daddy' dating site founder arrested twice amid prostitution, rape probes".
- ^ Suraya, Maya. "Google To Ban Sugar Dating Apps Starting 1 September". therakyatpost.com. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
- ^ Wong, Abel (2021-07-29). "Google Play Store policy updated, banning sugar dating apps from 1 September 2021 onwards". technave.com. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
